Federal and State Law Enforcement Agencies Target Methamphetamine Producers

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, Sixteen defendants face federal charges related to methamphetamine production, announced Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt of the New York Division, and New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II.

On November 15, 2017, the following 16 people were arrested in connection with federal indictments charging them with possessing pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter drug, knowing that it would be used to make methamphetamine:

Warren J. Zeilman, 56, Vestal, NY

Lisa K. Zeilman, 52, Vestal, NY

Tyler Brobeck, 27, Cortland, NY

Alysia M. Brobeck, 27, Cortland, NY

Pamela Lackner, 48, Cortland, NY*

William J. Richards, 39, Johnson City, NY

Kurtis H. Richards, 20, Johnson City, NY

Charles A. McNeilly, 50, Whitney Point, NY

Donald W. Moshier, 39, Whitney Point, NY

Corey R. Mangan, 30, Lisle, NY

Troy D. Clark, 40, Whitney Point, NY

Mervin R. Clark, 63, Glen Aubrey, NY

Lindy S. Clark, 34, Glen Aubrey, NY

Samantha B. Albanese, 32, Truxton, NY

James E. Duff, 39, Truxton, NY

Timothy Duff, 38, Cortland, NY

*Arrested on November 14, 2017.

If convicted, these defendants face up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and terms of supervised release of up to three years.

The charges in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

All of the charged defendants are residents of Broome, Cortland, and Tioga Counties.

Acting U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said, “These cases illustrate our continuing commitment to combating the alarming proliferation of small, clandestine methamphetamine ‘laboratories’ that use pseudoephedrine and caustic chemicals and solvents in a process that endangers the participants and the environment and yields a poisonous product that harms users, families, and communities.  There is hope in the remedial and preventive effects of strong enforcement, along with education regarding the harmful effects of methamphetamine, the need for treatment for users, and the importance of contacting law enforcement when a meth lab is suspected.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt stated, “Methamphetamine use is deadly; and the methods used to make methamphetamine are ticking time bombs. They are extremely dangerous to residents, neighbors and end users.  These arrests are messages to meth manufacturers and traffickers that law enforcement is determined to dismantle deadly threats and protect our towns from the perils of drug abuse.”

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Every agency involved in this investigation shares equal praise for their efforts. These arrests are the result of a tremendous amount of intelligence, investigative and analytical work by State Police and our law enforcement partners. These individuals were purchasing ingredients for the purpose of manufacturing a dangerous and illegal drug in and around Broome, Cortland, and Tioga counties. These arrests ultimately saved lives, and send the message that we will work tirelessly to rid our communities of methamphetamine and its associated dangers.” 

These cases are being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-Syracuse Resident Office, the New York State Police, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Cortland Police Department, the City of Ithaca Police Department and the Broome County Special Investigations Unit, which includes the City of Binghamton Police Department, the Broome County Sheriff’s Department, the Town of Vestal Police Department and the Village of  Endicott Police Department, with assistance from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric.